inbox


Lionel ’s interview was not an isolated case Reading Denis MacShane’s account of Lionel Morrison’s attempt to get casual shifts on the Guardian reminded me of an experience I had when, aged 18, and fresh out of journalism college, I embarked on my jobs quest. Called for an interview at a London


newspaper, I was the only person in the waiting room when the editor came down looking for the interviewee. He did a double take and, seeing no one else there, deduced I was that person and invited me in. He was clearly uncomfortable during our chat and at one point asked me why I hadn’t put in my covering letter or on my CV that I was black, to which I replied: “I believe in selling myself, not my colour!” That was in the late ’70s. However, it


saddens me that such stereotypical views are still prevalent all these decades later. Maisie Hylton London


We need to fight on in the spirit of Lionel and George We have lost two of our very best – Lionel Morrison and George MacIntyre, both former presidents, members of honour and great ambassadors for our


union. Neither would ever have said a word against all that the NUJ does for journalism or journalists. In these days of anti-trade union


views in print and broadcasting, we really do have cause for concern. It is clear that this anti-trade union government will take away our EU employment rights, which we need to protect our members’ terms and conditions. We should all take our lead from Lionel and George and always be positive about our union’s work. It surprises me that so few of us who have needed and been helped by trade unions over the years fail to respond in print to those who want to see us gone. Please fill your local press with letters supporting trade unions in 2017. It is time that we as members spoke out locally as well as nationally before this government again trues to stop workers from being able to withdraw their labour. John Fray Oxford branch


Eddie Barrett was one of the best there was The sudden death of Eddie Barrett has robbed the NUJ of one of its greatest champions. He epitomised all that


was best in being a trade unionist, working to hard to get the best pay and conditions for his fellow journalists in the NUJ and later for Unite members, sometimes at great cost to himself. Eddie served on the union’s ruling national executive council. And despite being let down by the union when a job offer was made and then withdrawn, he sat for years afterwards on the standing orders committee always bringing humour and intelligent solutions to difficult problems making sure that the union looked after its members. Eddie was fiercely loyal to his friends and officials, always available to give advice and support. His great charm and humour, wit and wisdom stood out as he argued for the ideals that he believed in. I first met him at the Wexford annual delegate meeting in 1974 when we were both broadcast journalists, and we shared the same belief in politics and in what the function of trade unions was. We went on to remain friends for the rest of his life. I shall always remember that


wonderful Dublin lilt and that rich laugh, and his ability to raise the spirits of those around him when they were at their lowest. We have as a union, and certainly


those of us close to him, lost our dearest friend. Peta Van den Berg Steel London


You just can’t beat a good shorthand note I read Ryan Fletcher’s article about shorthand with interest (December/ January). Shorthand will always be more


reliable than recording devices. I teach shorthand as well as community and online journalism in Brighton, and students have lost work when phone recordings have been reformatted and batteries have run out. Transcribing and going back over


recordings is time consuming. We all work in a 24/7 news cycle now and need to turn stories around quickly. Flipping through your notepad takes a fraction of the time it takes to go back and forth to find the quote you need on a recorder. Of course, recordings are great


for adding colour and media to a news story, but you can’t beat a good-quality note. For me, shorthand also shows a level


of commitment to the profession. I hope that it is here to stay. Sarah Booker Lewis Brighton


STEVE BELL


THE OWNERS


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